Shock as Leeds Rhinos star returns to Australian club

The New Zealand international joined Rhinos from Gold Coast Titans in the off-season, following her partner Sam Lisone who is in the first season of his two-year contract with Leeds’ men’s side.

She played in Rhinos’ opening two Betfred Women’s Super League fixtures, but Titans revealed on Thursday evening, UK time, she is heading back to the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) competition.

Rhinos confirmed the move this morning (Friday), but Hale – the first player from the NRLW to feature in Women’s Super League – insisted Lisone remains committed to Leeds.

Hale said: “I have really enjoyed my time and experiences with Leeds so far, but I’m so looking forward to coming home.”

In a statement on Rhinos’ website, she said: “I think sometimes you need to look at the bigger picture of life in general and to get to back near family and home comforts.

“It just happens that the NRLW is the pull to get there, but I will be back at Leeds. My partner Sam Lisone is here and sees his future at the club and I am so in support of that.

“I really want to return and keep building my personal relationship with the club, but it's just a personal endeavour that I really do want to chase in Australia.”

She added: “The girls have been so great at Leeds. The efforts that Lois puts around her squad is admirable and I have just been really fortunate to be a part of that and see the system she has in place.

“It's just a shame that the distance between New Zealand, Australia and England is so far apart and on a different time zone which makes it quite challenging.”

Hale has been working for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and believes the girls’ and women’s game in the area is in good shape.

“When I have been into the schools there's lots of interest from girls to play rugby,” she noted.

“Clubs are keen to have teams so those are the seeds you need to plant for what you want to grow and that's the feel across the entire region.

“I think the girls game is in really good hands over here and will go from strength to strength.”

Rhinos coach Lois Forsell admitted she is “disappointed” to lose Hale, but stressed: “She has been great in her time with us and it's been really beneficial to have an international player of her quality in our squad and working with our young players.”

Titans begin pre-season training later this month ahead of the NRLW season beginning in July. Hale is still in this country and will make a farewell appearance for Rhinos against St Helens at Headingley in two weeks’ time.

Rhinos’ England full-back Fran Goldthorp and stand-off Georgia Roche have also signed for NRLW clubs.